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Chronicle of the Mound Builders
Chronicle of the Mound Builders is a novel by Elle Marie, published in 2012. The novel is set in a fictional archaeology dig site in the St. Louis, Missouri area. The plot concerns archaeologist Dr. Angela Hunter and her struggle to solve the mystery of an ancient codex. The story alternates between Angela’s discoveries and characters living in the 1300s.

Plot Summary
Angela discovers an ancient codex at a Mississippian Indian dig site in the St. Louis, Missouri area. She knows that the Mississippians, or Mound Builders, disappeared mysteriously and had no written language, so she is determined to find an explanation for the 700-year-old, perfectly preserved codex.

In the early 1300’s, an Aztec family is torn apart. Chipahua, a judge rebelling against the Aztec tradition of human sacrifice, is cursed and escapes his enemies with his 12-year-old son, Tototl. They travel from the Gulf of Mexico to the Mississippi River, then northward up the river to finally settle in Migaduha, modern-day Cahokia Mounds, Illinois.

Angela recognizes the codex symbols as Aztec pictograms and begins to translate the story. Dr. Franklin Oettendorf, an ambitious professor and former lover, wants the codex and the translation for himself. Joseph Edgewater, a lawyer with Native American heritage, also wants the codex. He heads a secret society whose purpose is to protect ancient secrets.

Chipahua and Tototl live peacefully in Cahokia until a bitter shaman seeking revenge against them destroys their happy life.

Angela completes her translation of the chronicle, learning of the evil unleashed in Cahokia long ago. She must now use her wits to battle the re-emerged danger. However, other forces also want the codex and will do anything to get it. She races against time to learn the secrets of the chronicle before the tragic events of the past are repeated today. Note: The novel is loosely based on the Dampier Dig in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Angela Hunter
Angela is a dedicated archaeologist who loves to share her knowledge of ancient civilizations.

Dr. Peter Hunter
Peter, Angela’s father, is the founder of Hunter Archaeology, a father-daughter firm specializing in archaeology and cultural resource management.

Joseph Edgewater
Joseph heads up a secret society dedicated to the preservation of centuries-old secrets.

Professor Franklin Oettendorf
Franklin, Angela’s former lover, teaches classes on Indian legends. He is anxious to rebuild his tarnished reputation by publishing an impressive archaeological paper.

Chipahua
Chipahua is a 14th century Aztec judge who finds human sacrifice distasteful. He is devoted to his family and is widely respected in his hometown of Zempoala.

Tototl
Tototl, Chipahua’s son, prefers sports to studies. He is reluctantly learning to read and write Aztec symbols.